The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1887-12-17
MEETING OF COMMITTEE OF WHITE
DEMOCRATS.

MLL x1NU VC NVMMx11EE VI WHALE
DEMOCRATS.
! MONROE, La, December 9th, 1887.
Committee met pursuant to call.
Present-Ward 1, w. s. Rhodes by
T. o. Benton proxy; Ward 2, NJ. A.
Vinsou, q. NJ. McCailum; Ward 3,
W. r. Renwick by c. n. Trousdale
proxy, A. Benoit; Ward 4, w. r.
Chamb'iss; Ward s, Ufiah Millsaps,
J. III. FIournoy; Ward 6, w. III. aAu-
ders; Ward z, w. r. Young by w. II.
Roberts, proxy; Ward s, +. Q. Rice.
Absent-Ward 8. afi 4 sl s!.
Col. II. o. Benton was chosen tcu-
porary 'chairmsn. -auss
Moved by Mr.. M,ltsaps tha, it is the
sense of this committee tha, a conven-
tion of the Democratic party of Ouachita
parish be called in accordance with the
resolutions adopted at the meeting Of
white Democrats at West Monroe on
September 29th, 1887. Adopted.
Moved by Mr.. Anders, that the tenn
p0rary chairman appoint committee
Of three members to draft an address
for publication in accordance with the
foregoing resolution, the temporary
chairman to be added to committee.
Adopted. tsr.s. ...s Fs
The chairman appointed Messrs. Be-
noit, Trousdale aud Chambliss on the
committee on address. .r1r
An Address. a... r>s.s
10 tie Wnitc Democrats of O,sachito Parish !:
Tho committee appointed by the Central
Committee of white Democrats held on tho
5th inst, to draft an address to the white
Democrats of Ouachita, submit the follow
ing to the people of Ouachita and surround
ing parishes:
When in the course Of political affairs the
aggressive and tyrannous acts OF minority
Of The Democratic party by use of illegiti-
mate means applied to party machinery,
deprive majority of their rights, and vir-
tnally disfranchise them. a true regard for
their party requires that this majority
should declare the causes which impel them
to resistance, and 10 use all legal means to
the influence of . few individuals for selfish
We hold that our government in its in
ception, organization and theory is q WHITE
MANS GOVERNMENT. 4MT .s.
That the Democratic party OF Louisiana
is essentially apAite Na0a's party.
That whilst we would deprive the colored
man of no rights guaranteed to him under
the Fourteenth Amendment of the Consti-
tuition of the United States, and the acts of
Congress hereunder, yet for our own, aud
we protest against extending those rights
beyond the letter and intendment of tho
law. The Democratic party OF the Nation
has been successfully maintained on this
Prudence would dictate that party rule
long established should not be changed for
light or transcient causes; and call expe-
rience has shown, that mankind are moro
disposed to suffer while evils are snfierabIe,
than to right themselves by abolishng the
forms to which they are accustomed"-
But when long and systematic train OF
usurpstions and acts in direct conflict with
party percedents and usages, evince de-
sign to reduce the white man to position
subordinate to the negro when tho few
control can override and disregard the will
and sentiments of the white Democrats of
the parish and when by this illegitimate
power they can set at defiance the wishes
and votes OF an intelligent majority-it is
the right, it is the duty of honest freemen,
to throw off their allegiance to this illegally
constituted minority who have seized the
power in our parish, to provide means ans for 70
tegrity of the party of which they are
members.
such has boon the patient suffering of the
white voters of Ouachita, and such is now
the necessity which constrains them to use
all legal means within their power to pur-
ify the party in their midst and to preserve
their rights as American citizens.
The history of the oligarchy in Ouachita.
composed of few individuals of wealth
and influence and commonly known as
"the Ring" is history of arbitrary acts
and usurpations of power, under the name
Democracy, all having in direct object to
fairs, and to continue themselves, their
connections and friends, in office, regard-
less OF the wishes and votes Of q majority
of the white people!-
candid readers
They have nullified and rendered vain
the objects for which the white men of
Ouachita united and banded themselves
the CALLING yoke of Radiclaism, in the use
of the negroes as their tools, rs The Repnb-
licans used them prior to 1876
They have thus by adopting the methods
virtually dlsfranchised the white voters OF
Ouachita by the enforced vote OF negroes
under their control.
They, on certain Sunday in August,
Meeting" fixed the entire ticket to be elect
ed in April 1884, on the ground that they,
through the negro votes Of the first and third
wards could control the entire parish and
They made use of their power in tho con-
vention held January 2ist, 1884, not only to
select their ticket, but to perpetuate their
power, through an illegal. irregular, unpre-
cedented and undemocratic Parish Execu-
tive Committee!
They. instead of following the plan al
ways adopted in National, State and Sena-
torial Conventions of giving each State or